I will keep singing till I die: Lata

After 17 years Lata Mangeshkar has come up with a private album, Saadgi. Ritujaay Ghosh speaks to the legendary singer.

After a gap of 17 years Lata Mangeshkar has come up with a private album, Saadgi (T-Series). HT City speaks to the legendary singer…

It has been a long wait for your fans…Yes, it has been 17 years since I last released an album. I know many were waiting for it. I think they will be happy with Saadgi. It has some wonderful poetry converted into songs.

There was a time when you used to come out with albums often. Why such a long gap?I wanted to do a ghazal album and was dying to come out with one. But I had other things on my mind. I have been listening to ghazals during this period but somehow felt that the audience were not receptive to them. They liked other genres so I thought of waiting for some time. What’s the point doing something, which the audience will discard? After all, I have to satisfy my fans.

So you sing for your fans…Of course, I have always been doing so. I can’t stay away from singing because of the love I have got from the people. I will keep singing till I die.

Why did you choose ghazals?I always wanted to sing ghazals. I have been doing playback and most songs are melody based and we don’t find too many ghazals in films. I liked the lyrics and called up Mayureshbhai (Mayuresh Puri), who has composed the songs, and expressed my desire to sing. The album happened because it had to happen. Nothing was planned but everything fell into place.

And why did you call it Saadgi?I could not think of any other name. That was the simplest name to express my love for music.

<b1>How was it working with Javed Akhtar?His contribution to the album has been immense. He has written four of the songs and they are melodious. He is by far one of the best lyricists and poets in the country today.

Will we be listening to more of you after this album?I haven’t decided. I never said I wouldn’t sing. I don’t sing much these days not because I am growing old but because I don’t like the music. I know my voice won’t go with it. There’s no point doing something against your will.

Does that mean there’s no good music being made today?Good music is certainly being made and that is why I am still open to doing playback. But I will sing only if I feel that the music suits my voice and my style and has melody.

There were reports that you might sing for composer Aadesh Shrivastava for his international album with Wyclef Jean… No, I am not singing. There is nothing in the pipeline and I am not a part of this album. Aadesh approached me but I have already told him that I can’t be a part of it.

After your sister AshaBhosle became a judge in a talent hunt show there were reports that you would follow suit.I am happy doing what I do. I am a singer and know only singing. I don’t know how such reports come out but I haven’t decided on judging any talent hunt contest yet.